Click to read the article
Kings Row (1942)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:13
Fresh:13
Rotten:0
Average Rating:7.7/10
Synopsis: Henry Bellaman's controversial, best-selling epic novel about cruelty and mental instability in small-town America is brought to the screen by directing great Sam Wood and top-notch cinematographer... Henry Bellaman's controversial, best-selling epic novel about cruelty and mental instability in small-town America is brought to the screen by directing great Sam Wood and top-notch cinematographer James Wong Howe. In KINGS ROW, Paris Mitchell (Robert Cummings) gives up a promising career as a musician in order to study psychiatry. But before he ever gets near the psychoanalytic Mecca of Vienna, Mitchell has plenty of cases to study right in his small midwestern home. Ronald Reagan turns in the most powerful performance of his career as Mitchell's easygoing companion, Drake McHugh, while knockout Ann Sheridan carries the film with her stellar performance as Randy Monaghan, the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Both will face needless tragedies perpetrated by human hands in this dour look at the home front during WWII. The fine script, excellent directing, stunning score, and spectacular performances make KING'S ROW one of the few Golden Era tragedies to stand the test of time. [More]
Starring: Ann Sheridan, Robert Cummings, Ronald Reagan, Betty Field
Starring: Ann Sheridan, Robert Cummings, Ronald Reagan, Betty Field, Charles Coburn, Claude Rains, Judith Anderson, Maria Ouspenskaya
Director: Sam Wood
Director: Sam Wood
Producer: David Lewis
Screenwriter: Casey Robinson
Composer: Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Reviews for Kings Row
Wood's small-town tale is one of the darkest melodramas Hollywood has made, especially in the 1940s. The style is different, but thematically it bears resemblance to Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt and Welles' Magnificent Ambersons made at the same time
A wonderful guilty pleasure potboiler enchanced by a magnificent Korngold score and fine acting from Ronald Reagan in the performance of his career. Only lead Robert Cummings is weak as Paris Mitchell; just imagine James Cagney in the role!
The film is dark, incredibly so for a mainstream movie before World War II.
Kings Row (1942) combines a turn-of-the-century setting with a small-town melodrama uncovering evil and depravity.
More Movies
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 70% 70% | Where the Wild Things Are | 03/12 |
| 83% 83% | Paranormal Activity | 03/12 |
| 89% 89% | Zombieland | 03/12 |
| 76% 76% | The Informant! | 03/12 |
| | The Strength of Water | 03/12 |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Kings Row at Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Links
Featured

Tim Burton's costume designer talks to Movieline about her long collaboration with the filmmaker and Johnny Depp.

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

We've got 20 copies of the hit TV series' Pilot Episode to giveaway.

The New Matilda's Lynden Barber looks at the recent success of low-budget sci-fi -- and asks the question.

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions

Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser

Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.

We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection



Top Critic

